Spanish cup - semi-finals, second leg

Real Madrid (1) 3 - Athletic Bilbao (2) 0

Real Madrid achieved their objective of reaching the Spanish cup final with a flattering 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao. With the final to be played in their own Santiago Bernabeu stadium on 6th March, the night they celebrate their centenary, Del Bosque was under orders not to fail, and he put out his usual first choice line up. Bilbao's manager Heynckes set out his stall clearly from the start, leaving Joseba Etxeberria on the substitute's bench and Julen Guerrero in the stands and playing with five at the back. After a goal-less first half Madrid took the lead under fortunate circumstances, the Basque captain Larrainzar turning the ball into his own net from Figo's' corner. Seven minutes Raúl was left with the easiest of tasks of heading Helguera's cross into an empty net after Larrainzar and young keeper Aranzubia both hesitated. Heynckes threw on Etxeberria, and he almost scored with a header which brushed the far post. But then Madrid substitute Guti put the result beyond the visitors' reach with an incisive strike, his sixth of the competition. Real Madrid reach the final for the first time in nine years. (31.01.01)

Deportivo La Coruña (1) 1 - Figueres (0) 1

Deportivo La Coruña scraped in to the final of the Spanish cup by the back door after drawing 1-1 in the second leg of their tie against Figueres. The second division B side put up a great fight and were the better team for much of the game at the Riazor stadium, where Jabo Irureta once again put out a side packed with reserves. Starting with a one goal lead from the first leg, Depor increased their advantage when José Manuel got on the end of a speculative cross from Diego Tristán in the fifth minute. However from then on the Catalan side took over, and they finally got their reward when referee Pérez Burrull awarded a much disputed penalty in the second minute of injury time for a foul on Peña, substitute Piti stroking the ball home to make it all square on the night. Two minutes later it was all over though and Deportivo go on to play the final in the Bernabeu stadium on 6th March. (30.01.02)